Many thought that Russia had baited Ukraine by choosing a singer who had illegally entered Crimea, and had gotten off without censure.

But on Friday Frank-Dieter Freiling — the chairman of the EBU Reference Group — made it clear that Russia did, in fact, receive an undisclosed penalty.

Speaking to Billboard magazine, in an article written by wiwiblogger William Lee Adams, he said:

“Russia has been called to order in a different way, but without making that public. Both parties involved have been commented on.”

The article does not elaborate on precisely how Russia was called to order. However, the EBU is known to have a number of tools in its penalty kit. It could have doled out a fine, as with Ukraine, or threatened to withdraw rights to other programmes distributed by Eurovision.

That revelation will do much to quell the anger among fans who felt that Ukraine had been drawn into a trap by the Russian broadcaster.

Although the EBU did not reveal the fine it dealt the Ukrainian broadcaster, Ukrainian media offered clues.

Zurab Alasania, the head of the Ukrainian broadcaster, said on television that the fine was up to 200,000 euros.

New rules for Eurovision 2018

Following this year’s controversial back-and-forth between Ukraine and Russia, the EBU has introduced a new clause to its official rules that wards off the selection of singers who may have broken the laws of the host country.

The new clause says: “Neither the selected artist nor any member of the delegation shall have any antecedents likely to prompt the host country’s national authorities to deny them access to the host country, in accordance with applicable national law.”

What do you think of the fact that Russia has been penalised? Are you a fan of the new clause in the rules? Let us know below.

Bernardo Pereira

Portuguese blogger Bernardo has followed Eurovision since 2006. He joined wiwibloggs in 2015, bringing plenty of sun and Iberian realness with him. His favourite ESC entry is "Euphoria" by Loreen. You can follow him on Twitter @b_tavares_p . Keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by liking our Facebook page and by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs.

The source is obviously fake, as are these so called news. This article was only written to appease Russian hating “Eurovision fans”.

Think about it. If the nature of the sanction is private then it makes no sense that it is now made public via an interview.

Russia did nothing wrong after all. Ukraine should still be covering itself in shame for what it did. Now just pay the bill and make way for Russia’s 2018 ESC victory with Julia 😉 It will be hilarious!

Incorrect, Hillary. (1) Billboard is one of the world’s most respected music magazines alongside Rolling Stone (2) Armenia was punished for the Iveta Mukuchyan flag incident in 2016 but those details are also private. It’s because the EBU doesn’t want broadcasters to know the penalties (3) Remember that the EBU did not reveal the amount of the Ukraine fine — the head of NTU did in an interview.

-OFF TOPIC-
But did anyone else hear that their is going to be a Africa song contest, the first edition to be held in November 2017 in Accra,Ghana it will have the same format as Esc (eg the winning country to host the next edition)
It will be called AfriMusic Song Contest

This is stupid. What did Russia even do wrong? Why would they want to broadcast their performance via satellite. I think they made the right decision. A petformance via satellite is an insult to both the performer and the Eurofans.

I think Eurovision should be inclusive, not exclusive. I do not see why Russian artists should be punished for the actions of Russian government. Moreover, governments change, regimes change through communication, art and exchange of ideas, which are all provided by Eurovision. So neither Russia, nor Ukraine should be banned. Solution was to introduce new rules, which the reference group did. Kudos to them

Russia must leave this contest forever. EBU even not try to respect Russia and give the country the same rights like other. No respect. What a circus. From 2014, with this booing and zero reaction to it from EBU, every year bulling, political jury voting in 2016, traditional last plases from Lithuanian jury, Yulia’s ban. If not this promise to Yulia from channels, we must leave it and never return. Hope 2017 will be last year when Russia take part. That’s all. 2017 kill Eurovision. I still hope than great Portugal and great Salvador’s victory can save it. I used to be big eurovision fan. But now I don’t care it anymore.
P.s. Ok, Wiwi ban my comments like you usually do

Salty much.
Political jury vote was a problem since the introduction of jury vote. Armenia and Azerbaijan put themselves dead last every year, yet nobody bans them for that. Greece and Cyprus exchange 12 points, yet nobody bans them for that. Russia should stay, we should get rid of jury vote. That would also bring back Turkey to contest, since they have a problem with juries too.

I really believe that the russian drama shaded the whole eurovision experience this year. I am not into politics, but I think that Russia used its power to enforce its will, without taking care of damaginig the image of the contest. It was like the bully classmate that spoiled the party. I am sorry to say that, but this kind of behaviour should NOT be allowed in an amazing competition as Eurovision is, all about peace, love, building bridges etc. Russia should be banned FOR EVER

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